The Ant and the Grasshopper

by Jan Gervais

Created by Jan Gervais, 2013

Name _____________ Date __________________

Read and rate the words from The Ant and the Grasshopper.

Word Rating (Circle the best choice for each

word.)

After reading: What I think the

word means.

contentedly

•I know what it means. •I think I’ve heard it. •I have no idea what it means!

lounging

•I know what it means. •I think I’ve heard it. •I have no idea what it means!

trudged

•I know what it means. •I think I’ve heard it. •I have no idea what it means!

weary

•I know what it means. •I think I’ve heard it. •I have no idea what it means!

toil

•I know what it means. •I think I’ve heard it. •I have no idea what it means!

Written by Jan Gervais, 2013

The Ant and the Grasshopper (adapted from the fable by Aesop)

“Ahhh…. This is the life,” sighed the

grasshopper contentedly as he lounged in

the thick, summer grass. The warm sun shone

on him, and he gazed through the tall stalks

of grass at the blue sky. After a relaxing rest,

the grasshopper leapt off across a flowery

meadow, chirping and singing with delight.

Before long, the grasshopper happened

upon an ant that was headed toward his

nest. The ant was bent over with a large

kernel of hard corn upon his back. The ant

trudged along, determined but weary from

the heavy weight of the corn.

“Why are you working so hard?”

questioned the grasshopper. “Come and

leap with me! It is summer, and the weather is

perfect!”

Written by Jan Gervais, 2013

The ant replied, “I am storing up food for the

winter, and I recommend that you do the

same.”

"Why bother about winter?" said the

Grasshopper as he rolled his eyes. “You worry

too much, little ant! There’s plenty of food right

now!” But the ant went on its way and

continued its toil.

Winter arrived with its icy winds, heavy snow,

and hard frozen ground. There were no tiny

insects to eat, no seeds, no corn, no food at all.

The foolish grasshopper found himself dying of

hunger. He saw the ants sharing the corn and

grain they had spent all summer collecting.

Then the Grasshopper knew:

It is best to prepare while you have the chance.

Created by Jan Gervais, 2013

Thank you for downloading my

Fable Freebie: The Ant and

the Grasshopper.

Please contact me at TPT with any questions.

~Jan Gervais

Font ((Annoying Kettle)) by Kevin and Amanda

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